Article Photos

It's just that he has this other job he's in the middle of at the moment.

Salfia is currently finishing up his duties at Musselman High School, where he has been an assistant coach since 2005.

"I've been up front from the beginning of this process, and (Musselman head) coach (Jeff) Sibole has been very encouraging from the beginning," Salfia said.

"This is a very special senior class. Where they are now from when they came in the program is night and day. I think we are in a position to play for a championship. Honestly, these boys mean too much to me not to get to see it through. I'm thankful to have this final season with them and I appreciate coach Sibole for allowing me to finish out the season. I'm really putting all my effort into what we are trying to accomplish here.

"I wasn't looking to get out. The opportunity was just too good to pass up. My ultimate goal has always been to be a head coach. I've known that for the last 20 years."

While his mind is on the task at hand, he does have plans for when he takes over at Spring Mills, and he has already ordered equipment and uniforms.

Most of this experience has been garnered from his days at a player at Liberty High School (in Clarksburg) and Alderson-Broaddus and as a graduate assistant at A-B, and an assistant coach at Philip-Barbour and Musselman.

Salfia, 33, said he has always had a goal of becoming a head coach.

Spring Mills offered the perfect fit for the social studies teacher/coach.

"The chance to be a part of something from the ground up was very intriguing," Salfia said. "To be hands on as the program grows, not many people get an opportunity like that. The facilities are going to be top-notch."

The goals are the same as any program's goal: to win.

"Our first goal is to get better every day, but unlike football, there is no reason why you can't be competitive in baseball," Salfia said. "But our ultimate goal will be to make improvements each day."

Of course, baseball is huge in the Eastern Panhandle, making matters a little more difficult.

"We won't have much of a learning curve," Salfia said. "This section, the area, is loaded. You're talking about Jefferson being a perennial power. Martinsburg is always good. Musselman is good. Everybody up here is good. If we can be competitive early than we have accomplished our goal of improving."

He already knows where he will start on the mound.

"When you have two horses you can go to, it overcomes a lot of inadequacies you may have in other areas," Salfia said. "We will definitely start on the mound. My background in college was an infielder, I played second base. I believe high school you have to be involved with the pitching staff as a head coach."

Salfia said he is in it for the long haul as well.

"I think my age is a benefit," he said. "I have a combo of 20 years of experience as a player and coach, and I am young enough to make a 20-year commitment to this and not a three-year commitment. I want to build something here."